National Health Insurance Programme Unveiled

Announces no new tax for NHI at this time

May 29, 2015 – Nassau, The Bahamas – On May 27, 2015, as part of Budget 2015 entitled Building a Stronger Bahamas, the Government revealed details on delivering a National Health Insurance (NHI) Programme for all Bahamians.

The Government announced that it will introduce a phased NHI system, which will not require new taxes or fees, as of January 1, 2016. This commitment is squarely in line with previous Government commitments, and part of a practical and affordable approach to deliver Universal Health Care for a Modern Bahamas.

“Starting January 1, 2016 and over the next 5 years, our Government will take the necessary steps to deliver national health insurance,” said The Right Honourable Perry Christie. “In doing so, we will ensure that the programme is both realistic and affordable, and we will remain committed to strengthening health services and access to healthcare for all Bahamians.”

Collaboration on a road map to consolidate the public health care delivery systems will be critical moving forward, including between key stakeholders such as the Public Hospitals Authority, the Princess Margaret Hospital, the Ministry of Health, the Department of Public Health, and the private sector.

To this end, Budget 2015 provides $60 million to target improved quality and efficiency in the administration and delivery of existing health care services.

A key step on the road to delivering the NHI programme is the creation of a Task Force to direct and lead the implementation of NHI. Furthermore, a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), tasked with leading the implementation and overseeing the strengthening of the existing health system, will soon be confirmed.

National Health Insurance is a key component of the Government’s new vision of building a Stronger Bahamas – for a safe, prosperous and modern future.

Contact:

Nikki Simmons

Press Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister

242-702-5542

About Stronger Bahamas:

Stronger Bahamas represents a new vision for the country. It is a new, non-partisan national policy development, public engagement and communications initiative. The program is designed to raise public awareness of the actions being taken and the progress being made against the country’s three most pressing policy challenges: reducing crime and improving the justice system; creating jobs and stimulating the economy; and improving education and modernizing social programs. At the same time, Stronger Bahamas invites all Bahamians to provide feedback on what else should be done to create a safe, prosperous and modern future. This feedback will be used to draft the National Development Plan.

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